I was interrupted in the midst of the last blog. Maria needed to go to work. I was her ride and didn't realize her start time was approaching. I was starting to talk about how introspection that leads to discontent is a selfish activity. My segue into gratitude should begin with a brief mention of my girlfriend. We have been together 3 years and well, sometimes I take her for granted. I shouldn't. She is a great person. I am thankful that she is a big part of my life. Ever been asked what makes a good relationship? I'd like to think that a good relationship is one where someone brings out something in yourself that you really like. It is usually something that is already there but takes someone special to evoke it. Maria helps me appreciate the real things in life. The picture I uploaded is one I took at the Los Angeles Zoo a couple of months back. That smile is so genuinely happy. We both had a real good time that day. This world can pose so many things that will challenge your happiness; anxiety about the future or worry about your security are two things that come readily to mind. Maria can put things away from her mind and enjoy her surroundings. When we are together she is not checking her watch or cell phone. This tells me that she is content to be where she is and that is with me. Isn't that great!
Well I have been derailed from the original purpose of today's blog. Ever notice how hard it is to pursue a chain of thought once you've set upon another? I celebrated twenty years with Gelsons this July. The Company held a breakfast for associates who had served 15, 20, 25, 30 and even 35 years. I took a picture with the President of Gelsons, Bob Stiles and the head of Arden Group Bernard Briskin. Both really, really nice guys; not your usual suits. Gelsons is a company that truly takes care of its employees. The breakfast is just one way that they let their associates know that they are remembered. At the breakfast looking around I noticed that the people who were celebrating these milestone anniversaries had one quality in common. They were all truly conscientious persons, all Good Samaritans who would go out of their way to make someone else happy. I didn't start this blog to highlight what a great company Gelsons is nor how great its longtime employees are. I wanted to explore my feelings and thoughts concerning my longevity with this supermarket. Truth is that a lot of my closest relationships began through the store. Some of the standards I hold for myself have been developed through my duties with Gelsons. My time there has impacted me in more ways than just providing a paycheck. Twenty years is a long time. And yes maybe there are other things I could have done in that time. But would I want to throw away the friendships and experiences brought on by my time there? Probably not. Would I like to see who I would become if ever the metaphoric umbilical cord is cut? Probably so. As Asia eloquently put it in that great progressive rock ballad from the eighties, "only time will tell." I am sure the phrase was around before but I always think the sentiment as how it was sung in that song.
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